It comes after Ukip relegated the Lib Dems to seventh place, losing their deposit in the process, as they polled only 352 votes in the South Shields by-election. Labour held David Miliband’s former seat but the Conservatives found themselves in third behind Mr Farage’s organisation. Even the BNP received more votes than Nick Clegg’s party.

A UKIP candidate’s rosette during the local elections count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

A UKIP candidate's rosette during the local elections count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

A UKIP candidate's rosette during the local elections count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, at the count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, ahead of the local elections count. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, at the count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, ahead of the local elections count. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, at the count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, ahead of the local elections count. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

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Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, at the count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, ahead of the local elections count. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, at the count at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire, ahead of the local elections count. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Candidates watch as votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Candidates watch as votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Candidates watch as votes are counted at Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire for the Gloucestershire districts. Thursday May 2, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate as UKIP’s Colin Guyton wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Thursday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate as UKIP's Colin Guyton wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Thursday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate as UKIP's Colin Guyton wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Thursday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive and Green Party candidate David Humpheys await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive and Green Party candidate David Humpheys await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive and Green Party candidate David Humpheys await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate after UKIP’s Colin Guyton (second right) wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate after UKIP's Colin Guyton (second right) wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP supporters celebrate after UKIP's Colin Guyton (second right) wins the Drybrook and Lydbrook seat, at the count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive, Green Party candidate David Humpheys and Independent candidate Philip Burford await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive, Green Party candidate David Humpheys and Independent candidate Philip Burford await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

(left to right) Labour candidate Janet Royall, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, Conservative candidate Will Windsor Clive, Green Party candidate David Humpheys and Independent candidate Philip Burford await the result in the Newent Division, at the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Victorious UKIP candidates pose for a picture (left to right) Alan Preest (Lydney and Elburton), Colin Guyton (Drybrook and Lydbrook) and Richard Leppington (Brean and Blakney) following the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils – Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire – which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Victorious UKIP candidates pose for a picture (left to right) Alan Preest (Lydney and Elburton), Colin Guyton (Drybrook and Lydbrook) and Richard Leppington (Brean and Blakney) following the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

Victorious UKIP candidates pose for a picture (left to right) Alan Preest (Lydney and Elburton), Colin Guyton (Drybrook and Lydbrook) and Richard Leppington (Brean and Blakney) following the local elections count in Oaklands Snooker Club in Cinderford, Gloucestershire. Friday May 3, 2013. Elections across English regions. Polls take place for 27 top-tier counties which share power with districts, six former shire councils - Cornwall, Durham, Isle of Wight, Northumberland, Shropshire and Wiltshire - which are now unitary authorities and Bristol. There is also a Parliamentary by-election in South Shields and an election on Anglesey. Tim Ireland/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley (left), who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley (left), who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley (left), who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Picture date: Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Picture date: Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Picture date: Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

A UKIP candidate’s rosette during the local elections count and declarations at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

A UKIP candidate's rosette during the local elections count and declarations at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

A UKIP candidate's rosette during the local elections count and declarations at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Mark Ellis (centre), who won the Laindon Park and Fryerns ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley, who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley, who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire

UKIP candidate Nigel Le Gresley, who won the Wickford Crouch ward, at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, Essex, during the local elections count and declarations for the Basildon and Wickford districts, in Essex. Friday May 3, 2013. Nick Ansell/PA Wire